County Health Dept. retiree and Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer Walls receives CDC’s Trailblazer Award
Elizabeth “Betsy” Walls
Elizabeth “Betsy” Walls, RN, the retired Director of Personal Health for the Chester County Health Department whose efforts helped to establish the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) in Chester County, has been honored with a much-deserved award from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Betsy is recognized as Pennsylvania’s...
Chesco Health launches community health survey
The Chester County Health Department launched its community health assessment survey this week to assess the health and well-being of those who live, work, or go to school in Chester County.
The assessment, conducted every three years, creates an important opportunity to improve the health of Chester County residents. The information collected will help identify community strengths, prioritize health...
Chesco health partnering with EMS to deliver vaccines at home
Kerri Barrett, Good Fellowship Ambulance Paramedic, administers the COVID-19 vaccine to an at-home individual.
WEST CHESTER — As part of its effort to ensure every eligible Chester County resident who chooses to have a COVID-19 vaccine is able to receive one, the Chester County Health Department has partnered with local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies to schedule at-home vaccine appointments...
Chesco to start antibody testing for COVID-19 for key personnel
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Chester County will be the first county in Pennsylvania to start testing essential personnel for COVID-19 with a blood antibody test, county health officials announced Monday afternoon, during a video community conference.
County Commissioner Chair Marian Moskowitz announced the testing initiative at the end of the teleconference — noting that testing will be done...
Chesco Health: Don’t wait, vaccinate
WEST CHESTER — From newborns to college, parents can help protect their children from 16 serious diseases by getting them vaccinated. The Chester County Health Department encourages all parents and health care providers to use summer as a time to make sure children’s vaccines are up-to-date and avoid the back-to-school rush. Pennsylvania requires children to have certain vaccines before they...
County to spray for mosquitos in West Chester on Sept. 11
One of two areas planned for mosquito spraying next week.
WEST CHESTER — Following the contractual guidelines/agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Chester County Health Department will conduct a mosquito control treatment spray in portions of West Chester Borough on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. The rain date for this event is Wednesday, Sept. 12 from...
A Q&A with Margaret Hudgings
An interview with leader of local group questioning mosquito spraying
By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times
My opinion piece “Mosquito spraying: why doesn’t the county want to talk about it?” in the Times of Chester County, August 31, asked many questions. Since then I’ve found many answers, including from talking with the County Health Department, and many new questions too. One thing I’ve...
Measles: Chester County Health Department stands ready
No outbreaks yet; prevention, response & public education top priorities
By Kim Chiomento, Staff Writer, The Times
WEST CHESTER – With the measles outbreak dominating national headlines; The Times has reached out to the Chester County Health Department to provide our readers a local, behind the scenes perspective on efforts underway to help prevent, and respond to, a measles outbreak close...
Forget the Ebola hype, it’s flu that kills in the U.S.
County-wide flu vaccination & prevention programs ramp-up
By Kim Chiomento, Staff Writer, The Times
Thousands of county residents have begun rolling-up their sleeves to get vaccinated and help stop the spread of the influenza virus, commonly called the flu. Some lucky eligible residents are even able to “sniff” the nasal mist vaccine version instead.
While there has been much press and focus...
Despite good motivations, county’s antibody test plan was an expensive screw up